A Drive-up Memorial Day Service took place Monday May 25, 2020 at 1pm at the Shenandoah Assembly of God Complex 311 Comertown Road, Shenandoah Va. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the town's 23rd Annual Memorial Day Festival & Parade was cancelled this year. Some of those in attendance brought their chairs and set outside their vehicles, and of course they maintained social distancing. The service was also broadcasted on FM-87.9 thus giving those in attendance another option to hear the ceremony.
Mayor Lucas honored two Virginian veterans that make the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom this past year.
Staff Sgt. Ian Paul McLaughlin, from Newport News, VA, who passed away January 11, 2020 supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
McLaughlin was one of two soldiers killed in action when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan.
Aviation Electronics Technician 2nd Class Slayton Richard Saldana, from Manassas, VA. Saldana was declared deceased July 30, 2020 while serving during Operation Freedom's Sentinel.
Slayton Richard Saldana was listed as duty status Whereabouts Unknown following a July 17, 2020 non-combat, man overboard incident in the Arabian Sea and was pronounced deceased on July 30, 2019.
The Kite family, Vice Mayor Bill Kite and the Mayor Clinton's daughter Monica Brewer provided a few musical selections. Pastor Jimmy Kite commented that Clinton Lucas had a God moment on Friday, he then went on to give a message of hope.
Scoutmaster Phil Secrist, spoke about the youth in today's armed forces, saying he has had several former scouts that joined the military.
All photographs taken by Shenandoah resident and retired Air Force Master Sergeant Amos Thomas. He has published a book called Shenandoah The Thomas Family Collection. In this book Amos has dedicated an entire chapter on previous Memorial Day Ceremonies and tons of pictures from other veteran occasions that have taken place in the Town of Shenandoah.
Shenandoah The Thomas Family Collection
Ian Paul McLaughlin
Slayton Richa
